Devon Probate Records: Difference between revisions

Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Devon. Search these indexes first:  

*[http://genuki.cs.ncl.ac.uk/DEV/DevonWillsProject/ Devon Wills Project] -- The aim of the Devon Wills Project is to provide a consolidated index of Devon wills, administrations and inventories, covering (and distinguishing between) original documents, probate copies, transcripts and abstracts. The project involves systematically transcribing information obtained from various "sources", i.e. indexes, calendars, catalogues, etc. The period covered is up to 1857, and wills, etc., are taken as related to Devon if the testator is identified to be or can be assumed as being of Devon, even if the will was proved elsewhere. (The index covers only testators, not other named individuals, and is initially just provided separately for each source.)  

*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/browse-refine.asp?CatID=6&searchType=browserefine&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1 Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills (1384 - 1858)]  This was the highest court in England which generally probated the estates of more wealthy individuals.

The majority of the records of Devonshire courts were destroyed during World War II when the Exeter Registry was bombed.  However, published indexes exist (except for the Archdeaconry Court of Totnes) as well as collections of abstract of some records.  Here is a list of those available through the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/FHL/frameset_library.asp Family History Library]:  

*{{FHL|235196|title-id|disp=Calendars of wills and administrations relating to the counties of Devon and Cornwall : proved in the Court of the principal registry of the Bishop of Exeter, 1559-1799; and of Devon only, proved in the Court of the Archdeaconry of Exeter,1540-1799.}}  

*{{FHL|251593|title-id|disp=Calendars of wills and administrations relating to the counties of Devon and Cornwall: 1532-1800}}  

*{{FHL|251598|title-id|disp=Index of testamentary material in records of the principal registry of Bishop of Exeter}}  

*{{FHL|289964|title-id|disp=Transcripts of Devonshire wills, 1600-1800}}  

*{{FHL|351796|title-id|disp=Oswyn Murray collection of wills, abt. 1600-1800}}  

*{{FHL|575287|title-id|disp=}}, 1200-1900's]  

*{{FHL|264158|title-id|disp=Devonshire wills...}}  

*{{FHL|246385|title-id|disp=A calendar of inquisitiones post mortem for Cornwall and Devon, from Henry III to Charles I (1216-1649)}}  

*{{FHL|278481|title-id|disp=An alphabetical register of divers persons, who by their last wills & grants have given towards the relief of the poor of the county of Devon}}  

*{{FHL|279949|title-id|disp=Abstracts of wills of the Drew Family, proved in the Court of the Archdeacon of Exeter and other courts, 1550-1891}}  

*{{FHL|15644|title-id|disp=Death duty registers, Exeter, 1796-1811}}  

*{{FHL|573927|title-id|disp=Wills for the Diocese of Exeter (County of Devon), 1812-1857}} The copies were made for the Legacy Duty Department of the Stamp Duty Office, and from 1848 on to its successor, The Estate Duty Office of the Inland Revenue Office. They consist of wills proved in the Principal Registry and Consistory Court of the Bishop of Exeter, and in the various Archdeaconry Courts.

Uffculme is a Peculiar Court and has indexes as follows: See Film 97429 18th court listed and 97430 17th court listed using following link. Wills, original and registered of the peculiar court of the Dean and parish of Sarum, Wiltshire, {{FHL|300055|title-id|disp=1560-1857}}  

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